COSEIA Praises PUC Approval of Landmark Settlement with Xcel

This entry was posted by Solar Curator on November 11, 2016 at 3:09 am

The three-member Colorado Public Utilities Commission on November 9, 2017 gave oral approval to a landmark settlement between Xcel Energy and two dozen organizations that will provide progress on energy policy for years to come. The Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association (COSEIA), which played a key role last summer in negotiating the settlement across three separate dockets, praised the unanimous decision.

“Today’s decision will allow Colorado’s vibrant solar industry to move ahead in deploying clean, affordable solar energy and planning for next-generation policies and technologies,” said Rebecca Cantwell, COSEIA executive director. “Coloradans will gain more control over their energy use by having the option to choose to try out advanced rates. In addition to saving money by generating clean energy from their own solar panels, Coloradans will have the option of installing energy storage systems. And low-income Coloradans will gain the option of true energy security through a robust program of community and rooftop solar options for those least able to pay for energy.”

The settlement, described by Xcel Energy as the largest of its kind in Colorado history, brought together the utility with 26 intervenors ranging from large industrial users to environmental advocates. In negotiations lasting all summer, COSEIA and other key parties worked to resolve scores of issues in three separate proposals filed by Xcel with the PUC. The settlement allowed the parties to avoid months of costly litigation.

Chairman Joshua Epel Wednesday expressed thanks to all the parties who negotiated the settlement. “I’m really pleased that 24 of 26 parties were able to achieve a settlement that expands all kinds of solar energy,” he said. “This was a Herculean effort and I’m proud that you have set a trajectory for the state on expanding renewable energy… that I think is a model for the nation.”

COSEIA believes that among the most important parts of the settlement is the creation of four separate stakeholder groups that will enable interested parties to work informally with the utility to iron out differences and to design new programs. Two of the groups have already started meeting: One is focused on determining policies for battery energy storage systems at homes and businesses, and one is focused on designing pilot and trial programs for two new residential rate structures. Others will work on existing and future voluntary renewable energy programs.

Among the key provisions COSEIA helped negotiate include:

An Open rooftop solar market not tied to Solar*Rewards

Agreement that the fundamental solar policy of net metering – being fairly credited for energy produced- will be available to customers regardless of whether they participate in Xcel’s solar programs. We believe this will create a robust new open market for residential solar.

First time low income solar programs

For the first time, low-income Coloradans will be able to reduce their electricity bills – and lower long-term costs – through solar energy that uses no fossil fuel. The settlement includes 4 MW a year of dedicated solar gardens for low-income Coloradans, and a separate rooftop program to install solar systems on up to 300 low-income residences.

Increases in solar capacity for community and large solar programs

Responsible conditions imposed on Renewable*Connect

Xcel will be allowed to build a new solar project up to 50 MW with conditions to ensure it does not compete unfairly with the private solar industry.

A strategic shift to trying out Time of Use and more progressive residential rates

(a) The settlement calls for voluntary trials of two new rates for residential customers. A trial launch of more sophisticated Time of Use (TOU) rates will allow customers more influence over their electric bill. These rates, now popular in other progressive markets, assign higher costs to energy during times when demand raises the cost of electricity. Since solar generates electricity during most of these hours, TOU rates more fairly account for the value of solar to all ratepayers. The new rates, which require meter upgrades, are expected to be rolled out in the next several years starting with volunteers. Opportunities to reevaluate the plan will be provided. A separate pilot of time-based residential demand rates will also start next year.

(b) Four stakeholder groups will meet regularly and include key players in Colorado’s energy market. These groups will work collaboratively to resolve ongoing issues with the utility and to develop clear metrics for measuring Xcel’s performance in supporting renewable energy programs.

“While we acknowledge that we all have more work to do in supporting Colorado’s strong appetite for solar, including in the emerging commercial sector, we applaud the Commission’s approval today to move us forward while providing new forums to tackle issues that may arise,” said John Bringenberg, COSEIA board president.

COSEIA, founded in 1989, leads Colorado’s solar industry will nearly 200 solar company and advocate members.